Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced that an assassination attempt during a Caracas march was thwarted, as reported by RIA News. The claim follows recent detentions of two Venezuelans suspected of plotting against the president, with authorities linking the plot to members of the opposition and alleged foreign influence.
In the broader political landscape, January 2024 saw the detention of 32 opposition figures who faced charges tied to alleged conspiracies against Maduro, with authorities citing foreign involvement as a factor in the alleged plots.
Nicolas Maduro has led Venezuela since 2013. In the presidential election held on April 14, 2013, Maduro defeated Henrique Capriles by a narrow margin. Official results from the Venezuelan State Electoral Commission showed Maduro with 50.76 percent of ballots and Capriles with 49.07 percent, a result that Capriles did not recognize. The outcome came after a competitive campaign marked by polarization and international scrutiny.
Shortly after his victory in 2013, Maduro granted an interview in which he discussed his Jewish heritage and highlighted the historical traditions of the Jewish people as part of his broader reflections on identity and social values.
Maduro was re-elected on May 20, 2018, securing the head presidency for the 2019-2025 term with about 6.2 million votes, representing roughly 67.8 percent of the ballot. This result reinforced his standing amid a period of political contention and economic hardship across the nation.
Looking ahead, reports indicate that Maduro has later signaled intentions to contest future presidential elections, signaling a continued leadership presence in Venezuelan politics.